• Job description

JR Peters is a family-owned company based here in the Allentown area for over 76 years. We manufacture high quality fertilizers for the horticulture and agriculture industry. We are seeking science-minded individual to fill the position of Lab Technician in our in-house Laboratory.

This is your chance to join a growing team in a Local, Family-Owned Company. We are building a culture of positive people where if you choose to be a part of this group there is lots of opportunity to advance and build a career here in something that makes a difference!

This position requires an assertive, detail-oriented person that has experience running instruments in a working laboratory. You must be a data driven person that also enjoys or be inquisitive about the chemistry of fertilizer and plants.

You will be doing dilutions and nutrient analysis so you must be comfortable and willing to learn the basics of water-soluble fertilizers and plant nutrition.

The lab operated 5 days a week with our daily sample load needing to be run and approved according to a time sensitive timeline.

You will be supported by other technicians and lab assistants that all make up our lab team.

This is not an office job, this is a true on-site lab position within a company that is growing.

We are looking for a long term team member that can add more instrument experience & science knowledge to our analysis practices and could advance to be a part of our leadership team, lead by example and be a highly motivated individual striving for success of the team.

Examples of our Instruments & Responsibilities:

1) ICP Analysis: perform the daily responsibilities of running samples on this instrument. This includes:

• Turn on instrument, warm up procedure and preparing standards and understanding how to achieve an acceptable standard curve.
• Performing sample analysis according to sample type and method.
• Reviewing data on the instrument and preparing dilutions and reruns at the end of each sample run according to the raw data.
• Upload the data to ELab so to ensure proper data transfer of each day’s sample run.
• Performing preventative maintenance. Clean nebulizer and spray chamber to prevent clogs; Managing ordering and filling of bulk Argon supply; Perform proper cleaning of glassware; Contact instrument vendors as needed to discuss advanced troubleshooting.

2) Wet Chemistry Analysis: perform the daily responsibilities of running samples on this instrument. This includes:

• Preparing standards and understanding how to achieve an acceptable standard curve.
• Performing sample analysis according to sample type and method.
• Reviewing data on the instrument and preparing dilutions and reruns at the end of each sample run according to the raw data.
• Upload the data to ELab so to ensure proper data transfer of each day’s sample run.
• Performing preventative maintenance: Change all tubing every other week; Clean instrument once a week; Properly dispose chemical waste.

3) Carbon Nitrogen Analysis: perform the daily responsibilities of running samples on this instrument. This includes:

• Sample prep for analysis. Weighing and compacting samples as needed and entering into the software for a full days sample run.
• Preventative maintenance: Change hot tubes and water traps when needed; Change and reorder gases when low; Run checks periodically if unit is not running for a period of time

OTHER LAB TASKS:

• Prepare raw materials and samples for QA /QC analysis according to the SOP provided and to ensure the timing of the sample results follow the needs of our production and shipping schedules.
• Prepare chemical reagents, acids, and standards for lab instruments ensuring the freshness of each reagent or standard – includes basic lab calculations and dilutions according to methods.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment including pH, EC and alkalinity meters
• Process Sample Data – print, organize, copy, fax, distribute, and file completed sample reports
• Maintains cleanliness of assigned work area and common lab workspaces and support lab teammates.
• Communicate with customers in person, by telephone, email or mail to ensure accurate results and resolve any customer queries.
• Maintain and provide the highest level of customer satisfaction as is expectation from JR Peters.

Please note, only those who most closely meet our qualification requirements will be contacted—so please, read the full content of the postings carefully, before applying.

Want to be part of the Family, this is what you need…
A B.S. in Biology or Chemistry is preferred. Other majors that will be considered are Agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science or Horticulture but must be accompanied by related experience working in a laboratory setting.

The candidate must have instrument experience performing analytical tasks in a lab. Please bring a list of the instruments that you have run in your past positions.

Good computer skills and knowledge of Windows and cloud-based computer systems are a plus.

Think this is right for you?

The working conditions are in a laboratory, yep that means repetitive tasks that need your attention to detail. This is not an office job, you will be based out of the lab every day.

Must be willing to train and be able to function together in a teamwork environment. The lab operates from 7 am to 3:30 pm with some flexibility in hours according to the daily workload.

JR Peters offers competitive compensation & benefits packages that you should expect from a company that cares- we can fill you in on all those details after application.

Please send a reply to us at indeed with your resume, salary requirements and all the other stuff we need to know about you. Salary and pay structure are dependent on lab experience and educational requirements.

JR Peters Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability or genetic information.

Job Type: Full-time

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Laboratory Experience: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person